Combined automatic gas-light extinguisher and electric sparker.



' Patented Dec. l8," I900. a. H.'LIPPMANN. COMBINED AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHT EXTINGUISHER AND ELECTRIC SPARKER.

(Application filed Max- 20, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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NrrEo TATES GUSTAV H. LIPPMANN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

COMBINED AUTOMATIC GAS-LIGHT EXTINGUISHER AND ELECTRIC SPARKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,163, dated December 18, 1900.

A li ti filed March 20, 1900. Serial No. 9,437. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAV H. LIPPMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Combined Automatic Gas-Light Extinguisher and Electric Sparker, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in combined automatic gas-light extinguishers and electric sparkers.

One object of this invention is to provide a device which will positively insure the shutting 0d of the supply of gas after the operator has extinguished the light.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device which will insure the stopping of the flow of gas after the valve has been turned off, in combination with an electric sparking device adapted to spark when the valve is opened to admit the free exit of gas to the burner.

A further object of this invention is to provide an arrangement of the details of the mechanisms above referred to, so as to enable them all to be controlled by a single spring action.

Many other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to and be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming apart of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gas-burner, showing my improvement attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the parts in position when the valve is opened. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the sparking device.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a gas-fixture supporting the usual valve-casing 2. Fitting within a valve-seat 3 of the casing is a valve 4, provided with a central opening 5, registering with the gas-passage openings in the valve-casing when the valve is positioned to permit the exit of the" gas. The valve 4 has secured to or formed with it on its outer side a flange 6 and an operating-rod 7. The flange and rod have adouble purpose, the flange having on its lower side a series of ratchet-teeth 8 to be engaged by a pawl 9 and the rod 7 having connected to it a movable sparking-rod 10, imparting to said rod when it is operated to manipulate the valve a vertically-reciprocating movement. The pawl 9 is pivoted to the valve-casing and has an extension 11,.to which an operating cord or chain 12 and a coil-spring 13 are attached, the opposite end of the latter being connected to the end of the rod 7. The points of connection of the spring are such as to operate both the operation of the valve and the pawl, and, furthermore, it controls the movement of the movable contact-rod 10.

On the upper end of the burner 14 is a split collar 15, secured in place by a screw or bolt 17. The collar 15 has secured between its meeting ends a standard or what I shall term the stationary electric contact 18. The upper end of this contact is bent at right angles and forms a holder for a piece of platinum 20, held in position by an adjustable screw 21. On the opposite side of the ring 15 is a guide 22 for the movable electric contact, so as to always retain the proper alinement of the sparking means. A terminal of an electric wire 23 will be attached to the stationary contact 18, and between the band 15 and the burner 14: is interposed a suitable insulating material 24. The other terminal of the electric wireis attached to any convenient point of the burner, whereby the rod 10 will be made to complete the circuit when the contact is made.

It is thought the operation and advantages will be readily understood. Suppose the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the operator desires the gas turned on and a light made. The chain or cord 25 on the end of the operating-rod is pulled down,which movement opens the valve 5 and draws down the movable contact rod 10, the valve being opened a little in advance of the contactpoints meeting. It will be noted that as the contact-point 10 and the platinum point meet a spark is created which ignites the gas, and the valve is held open to permit the exit of the gas to any degree to the convenience of the operator, while, on the other hand, when it is desired to turn out the light the cord or chain 12 is pulled down, which movement disengages the pawl 9 from the ratchet-teeth, and under the influence of the spring the valve closes and stops the flow of gas. The valve is positively held in this closed position by reason of the spring and the pawl-andratchet movement.

The purpose of making the stationary contact-point of platinum is to provide a point not capable of being easily destroyed by the heat from the flame. If metal were used, it necessarily follows that the point would be destroyed and the device become inoperative. On the other hand, the movable contact may be made of metal, owing to the fact that when the flame is at its height the contact is at its lowest point. Hence while it is in the flame it is not susceptible to the excessive heat of the upper part thereof. It follows, therefore, that only one contact need be made of material which will withstand the heat.

Simplicity, durability, and cheapness to manufacture are among the many characteristics of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A combined automatic sparking and extinguishing device for a gas-fixture, consisting of a valve, a series of ratchet-teeth thereon, a pawl engaging said teeth, a single spring connecting and actuating the valve and the pawl, a vertically-movable electric contact movable in unison with the Valve, and a stationary electric contact in the path of said movable contact, substantially as set forth.

2. A device for positively closing the valve of a gas-fixture, consisting of a valve, 21 series of teeth on said valve, a pawl, said pawl engaging the teeth, and a single spring which normally closes the valve and normally acts to retain the pawl in engagement with the teeth on the valve, substantially as'described. 4o

3. Acombined automatic sparking and extinguishing-device for a gas-fixture, consisting of a valve, a flange thereon, a series of ratchet-teeth on the under side of said flange, a pawl engaging said teeth, an operating-rod attached to said flange, a vertically-movable electric contact-rod connected to the operating-rod and movable in unison therewith, and a stationary electric contact in the path of said movable contact substantially as described.

4. A combined automatic sparking and extinguishing device for a gas-fixture, consisting of a valve, a flange thereon, a series of ratchet-teeth on the under side of said flange, a pawl engaging said teeth, a single spring which normally closes the valve and normally acts to retain the pawl in engagement with the teeth on the flange of the valve, an operating-rod attached to the said flange, a vertically-movable electric contact-rod connected to the operating-rod and movable in unison therewith, and a stationary electric contact in the path of said movable contact, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAV H. LIPPMANN. Witnesses:

BERTHA BERKO, FRED. TSCHIENTSOHY. 

